Jefferson

Soil & Water Conservation District

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MINUTES OF JEFFERSON SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Rigby Service Center

July 22, 2008

Supervisors Present: Mel Briggs, Jason Ferguson, Shane Shippen, Richard Jacobson  

Others Present: Howard Johnson, District Conservationist; Amanda Hickman, District Employee; Brian McLain, County Extension Agent 

Mel Briggs, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 9:28 a.m.

Minutes of the May 8 Jefferson S.W.C.D. Board Meeting was mailed out earlier for review. Shane made a motion, seconded by Jason, to dispense from reading the minutes and accept them as written.  Motion passed.   

Financial Report for May 2008 was reviewed. Jason made a motion, seconded by Shane, to receive the May Financial Reports as read and file for audit.  Motion passed. Financial Report for June 2008 was reviewed. Shane made a motion, seconded by Jason, to receive the June Financial Reports as read and file for audit.  Motion passed.

Bills

The following bills were discussed:

            - Speedy CPS, Newsletter Printing, $112.50

            - Rigby Post Office, Newsletter Postage, $66.29

            - Blackburn Mfg. Co., Survey Flags, $81.43

            - State Insurance Fund, Workers Comp, $150.00

            - Scotty’s, 4-H Day Camp, $55.45

            - Abbots, 4-H Day Camp, $52.10

            - Broulims, Board Meeting & 4-H Day Camp, $57.16

            - Porters, Office Supplies, $58.36

            - Speedy CPS, 4-H Day Camp, $10.08

            - State of Idaho, Unemployment tax, $9.94

            - State of Idaho, Payroll Taxes, $87.00

            - IRS, Payroll taxes, $518.11

            - State of Idaho, Sales Tax, $4553.78

            - Post Master, Postage, $42.00

Amanda added the following bill: Jefferson County Fair, Booth, $25.00. Jason made a motion, seconded by Shane to pay the above bills. Motion passed.

NRCS Update

Howard gave each supervisor a copy of the NRCS News Release dated July 15, 2008 highlighting the additional funding through the farm bill. Idaho has received $2.4 million of these additional funds. This year the Rigby NRCS has funded a total of 22 contracts, which put over a million dollars of conservation practices on the ground.

For the upcoming EQIP funding year the deadline was July 14 and there were approximately 20 applications. There has been a new cost list sent out and it was briefly discussed.

Howard asked the board if there was a need to hold a Local Working Group meeting. He presented a situation he and other office staff has felt isn’t working really great. Farmers have the option to choose whether or not they install a windbreak and the size of the windbreak. In some cases these windbreaks have turned into a weedy mess and are not serving the purpose of wildlife habitat. This was briefly discussed.

Howard also presented the changes that would be taking place in the office with the new Shared Management. August 18, 2008 will be the official date for the change. With the increased work load Rigby FO will be receiving a new employee, Aaron Dalling will be the new Soil Conservationist and he will start August 4, 2008. As for the Administrative Assistant for Clark, Robby Taylor is planning on staying in Rexburg as the Admin. Assistant.

New Administrative Assistant

Amanda needs to check on the District law for advertising for a new position. Ads for the position will start running in local newspapers next week. After the ads have run for the proper length of time, the supervisors will review the resumes and select a few candidates to interview. After a new employee is hired Amanda will spend two weeks or so training. Amanda expressed interest in staying on as an I&E officer if the new employee is not interested in doing that part of the job.

I&E Update

Amanda presented the following:

The 4-H day camp was a huge success. There were 20 kids in attendance and there was a waiting list for more that wanted to come. They went on a hike up Cress Creek and came back to the Jefferson County Fair Grounds to do all the hands on activities. Each kid was able to make a flower press and those will be displayed at the Jefferson Co. Fair.

In July Amanda attended 4-H Camp in Alpine. There were 80 kids in attendance. Amanda did a presentation on Outdoor Manners and conserving our natural resources. The kids then played a game called ‘Leave No Trace.’

On August 13-16 Amanda will be setting up a booth at the Jefferson County Fair. She asked for any ideas. Richard asked if she could advertise the Natural Resources Camp. Also, Amanda is unable to sit at the booth because of other commitments at the Fair. It was discussed that maybe an RSVP Sr. Volunteer could be used or Howard’s 14 year old daughter.

Other Business

Brian told the board that after a shotgun first week the Jefferson Weed Mapping project was underway. The state funding was cut but when the federal funding came through there was money enough to fund the project. Four students were hired and the county provided a team leader. They have been mapping the waterways throughout the County. They are scheduled to map for 5 weeks. Also Brian said that he attended a meeting with Roger Batt with the Weed Awareness Campaign. At that meeting the Jefferson SWCD was granted $1000.00 for the Annual Weed Meeting. When it comes time for that meeting the district needs to send Roger an itemized invoice and they will be reimbursed.

Next board meeting will be held September 11 at 8:00 pm at the Rigby Service Center.

Shane made a motion, seconded by Jason, to adjourn.  Meeting adjourned at 10:34 a.m.

Minutes taken and typed by Amanda Hickman.